The Ruston City Council will meet for their regularly scheduled meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday.
Council members are slated to consider an amendment to their contract with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development relating to the Interstate 20 Service Road Improvements. This amendment would officially add the Tarbutton Road exchange project to the contract.
Also on the table is a preliminary approval for a $15.2 million issuance of revenue refunding bonds. This refinancing of bonds for the sewage treatment plant could save the city $1.3 million over the life of the bonds.

Full text of this article is available to subscribers only. Login if you are already a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe to the online version here.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of North Central Louisiana were able to give out nine scholarships to local students.
The monies raised from the second annual Fred Dean Hall of Fame Pro-Day camp were used to fund more than $5,000 in scholarships.
NFL Hall of Famer Rickey Jackson was on hand at the luncheon to give advice to the young children of the crowd.
“Make sure that you lead,” Jackson said. “Don’t be a follower. There are a lot of people that try to just follow people along, but it takes a lot to be a leader.”
Jackson added that children should keep in mind to do good in school.

Full text of this article is available to subscribers only. Login if you are already a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe to the online version here.

The turnout for the March 24 Louisiana Presidential Preference Primary was significantly lower than for the same such election in 2008.
For the 2012 primary, Registrar of Voters Dianna Stone said there were 20,437 registered voters eligible to vote. Only registered Democrats and Republicans were allowed to vote in this election.
Of that more than 20,000 registered voters 2,848 or 13.94 percent showed up to the polls. A further breakdown reveals that of the 12,074 registered Democrats 858 or 7.11 percent voted, while 1,990 or 23.8 percent of the registered 8,363 Republicans voted.

Full text of this article is available to subscribers only. Login if you are already a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe to the online version here.

In response to local political and business leaders stating opposition to the proposed quarter-cent sales tax, Sheriff Mike Stone sent out a press release this week to explain why he believes Lincoln Parish voters should approve the new tax.
The proposed sales tax is expected to generate $1.8 million in additional funds per year, and it is set as an in perpetuity tax. This means the tax will never expire, and never come before voters to be reapproved.

Full text of this article is available to subscribers only. Login if you are already a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe to the online version here.

Despite the Bountygate controversy that has surrounded the franchise in recent weeks, New Orleans Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton was upbeat and jokative as the guest speaker at the annual “Big Whit77 Foundation” dinner for sponsors at the Squire Creek Golf and Country Club Friday night. See more about his appearance on page 10A.

Full text of this article is available to subscribers only. Login if you are already a subscriber. If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe to the online version here.